Laurence's research is an experimental investigation of high-speed fluid-structure interaction problems; specifically, examining the coupling between a flexible panel and the flowfield produced in a hypersonic shock-wave/boundary-layer interaction. The award covers extensions to the wind tunnel used to study this problem, as well as a schlieren flow visualization system. This research will be used to help understand the coupling between surface structural oscillations of hypersonic vehicles and the flowfield over them.

Leite investigates materials for energy harvesting and storage—from their nanoscale structural, electrical, and optical properties to their device implementation. Through this DURIP award, she will inspect light–matter interactions in metallic nanostructures by means of near-field scanning optical microscopy. This disruptive approach will reveal the plasmon-induced effects of the metals during electrocatalytic reactions, enabling the understanding of the fundamental mechanisms associated with charge transfer within these systems.

Pecht, along with UMD Postdoctoral Associate Yinjiao Xing, will research ultrasonic testing for lithium-ion (li-ion) batteries. Li-ion batteries provide higher energy and voltage than other batteries, but are prone to failure and hazards. Pecht's ultrasonic testing is non-destructive to the battery and will help determine the state of health for li-ion batteries and what causes these batteries to fail.

Waks's research focuses on quantum photonics, quantum information, strongly interacting light-matter systems, and nanophotonics. Through this DURIP award, he will develop an ultra low-temperature spectroscopy system to characterize and control quantum materials. This work will develop new quantum memories in a solid-state chip-integrated device that could enable scalable quantum technology in a semiconductor platform. This DURIP award will support a recently funded Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative of certifiable quantum systems, also funded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research.

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